Saddle stirrup for use by a leg amputee

ABSTRACT

Saddle stirrups for use by a horseback rider who has had one or both legs amputated. Each stirrup includes a cup in the configuration of a hollow, truncated, open topped, right circular cone. A pair of buckles on the cone mate with a pair of straps which attach to a saddle. The buckles and straps permit adjustment of the length and of the angle of the stirrup cup to suit the rider&#39;&#39;s needs.

United States Patent 1 Dabney [4 1 May 28, 1974 SADDLE STIRRUP FOR USE BY A LEG AMPUTEE [76] Inventor: Douglas H. Dabney, Grey Gables,

Louisa, Va. 23093 [22] Filed: May 21, 1973 [2]] Appl. No.: 362,452

[52] US. Cl. 54/47, 3/17 R [51] Int. Cl. B68c 3/00 [58] Field of Search 54/47; 3/4, 17 R, l6, 19

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 129,340 7/1872 Hawkins 3/17 R 721,239 2/1903 Rowley 3/17 R 1,586,015 5/1926 Underwood 3/17 R Primary ExaminerRobert Peshock Assistant Examiner l. Q. Lever Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Morton, Bernard, Brown, Roberts & Sutherland [5 7] ABSTRACT Saddle stirrups for use by a horseback rider who has had one or both legs amputated. Each stirrup includes a cup in the configuration of a hollow, truncated, open topped, right circular cone. A pair of buckles on the cone mate with a pair of straps which attach to a saddle. The buckles and straps permit adjustment of the length and of the angle of the stirrup cup to suit the riders needs.

16 Claims, 2 Drawing Figures SADDLE STIRRUP FOR USE BY A LEG AMPUTEE This invention relates to a saddle and saddle stirrups and more particularly to saddle stirrups for leg amputees which can be adjustably attached to a saddle to enable either single or double leg amputees to attain a safe and comfortable saddle seat while riding horsethe requirement that the rider maintain a good seat.

The word seat" refers to the manner of sitting on horseback. A good seat is attained when the rider remains in control of his equilibrium, whatever the actions of the horse may be. Such a seat must provide security as well as ease and comfort for both horse and rider. For a non-handicapped rider such a seat is dependent upon balance, augmented by suppleness, muscular control of the body and use of the legs.

Since a horseback rider is continuously receiving impulses from the moving horse, he is frequently in danger of losing his equilibrium and can retain it only by clinging to the horse with his knees and thighs, necessitating a relatively strong leg grip. Good balance reduces the necessity for this continuous leg grip and is a principal requisite for a secure seat. Since a leg amputee cannot depend upon the use of his legs, the use of balance must be maximized, supplemented as much as possible by whatever suppleness and muscular control of the body is available.

Saddles and saddle stirrups have been developed which enable both single and double leg amputees to ride horseback. Generally, in previously known saddles and stirrups for leg amputees, the rider is fastened to the saddle by the use of belts, straps, harnesses or the like. There are numerous drawbacks and objections to such stirrup and saddle arrangements in which the handicapped rider is fastened to the saddle. In contrast with the theory supporting use of automotive seat belts, it is much safer for a horseback rider to be thrown clear of a horse in the event of an accident or runaway, rather than to be fastened to the horse. lf an accident should occur with the rider fastened to the saddle, there would be a great chance that the horse would fall or roll upon the rider. Since the average riding horse weighs in the order of about a thousand pounds, a rider upon whom such a horse falls or rolls is very likely to be badly injured.

A further objection to stirrup and saddle arrangements in which the rider is fastened to the saddle concerns the philosophy behind the use of horseback riding as therapeutic exercise for leg amputees. Horseback riding helps the handicapped person adjust to his disability, not only by improving his balance, muscular control, co-ordination and posture, but also by restoring his self-confidence.

The present invention is a saddle stirrup designed for use in conjunction with a saddle and which alleviates the objections and drawbacks discussed above. The present invention allows a leg amputee to ride a horse in a natural position or seat without the aid of other people or mechanical devices. Thus, not only will the leg amputee enjoy the pleasurable experience of riding a horse, but also he will develop balance and acquire independence and self-confidence.

The present invention provides saddle stirrups for a horseback rider who has had one or both legs amputated. Each stirrup comprises a cup, for example, in the shape of a truncated right circular cone having its two planes parallel, and means for securely attaching the stirrups to a saddle without fastening the rider to the saddle. A double leg amputee can utilize two such stirrup cups to ride a horse. When two of the stirrup cups in accordance with the present invention are utilized, a leather strap passes from the front of one stirrup cup, over the top of the saddle, to the front of the other stirrup cup. while a second strap similarly connects the rears of the two stirrup cups. Each strap is securely fastened to the saddle. The straps can be adjusted so that the stirrup cups are at the height and angle preferred by the rider. A single leg amputee can utilizea single stirrup cup fastened to the saddle in conjunction with a standard stirrup.

For a more complete understanding of the present invention, reference should be made to the following detailed specification and the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view, partially broken, of a stirrup cup in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of a stirrup cup attached by supporting straps to an English-type riding saddle, in accordance with the present invention.

in the illustrative embodiment of the present invention depicted in HO. 1, stirrup cup 10 is provided in the shape of a hollow, truncated right circular cone in which both plates are parallel and having the top surface open. High quality saddle leather having high strength and tear resistance, such as latigo, is preferably used to fabricate the stirrup cups such as stirrup cup 10. The saddle leather is glued together at all joints with, for example, contact cement glued as that sold by Tandy Leather Company. In addition the joints are preferably also sewn, as illustrated by sewn seam 9, for example with waxed nylon thread, such as size 6 thread manufactured by Stewart Manufacturing Company, Worchester, Massachusetts. Two buckles 11 and 12 are attached to the upper edge of the stirrup cup 10 opposite each other at the front and rear of the stirrup cup. Preferably buckles 11 and 12 are attached to stirrup cup 10 by means of a single leather strap 13 which is doubled and sewn to the exterior surface of cup 10 so that strap 13 passes beneath and is attached to the bottom surface 16 of stirrup cup 10, providing continuous support for the stirrup cup from buckle to buckle. To insure that stirrup cup 10 does not tear apart at its seams, two leather straps l4 and 15 are cemented and sewn to the exterior surface of the stirrup cup along the upper and lower edges with straps l4 and 15 passing over strap 13. The interior surface of each stirrup cup is preferably lined with a soft padding material 21, such as sheepskin which is securely attached to the leather, for example, with contact cement, and then sewn in place.

FIG. 2 depicts a rider 22 on a horse 23 with a saddle 17 having two stirrup cups l0 suspended from its seat by means of two stirrup straps l8 and 19. Each of the stirrup straps l8 and 19 is made of top quality and strength saddle leather, preferably with two layers which are securely fastened together, for example by gluing them with contact cement and then lockstitching them together. Each stirrup strap 18 and 19 is long enough to extend from its buckle 11 or 12 on one stireach stirrup strap 18 and 19 has a plurality of tongue holes 20 spaced apart in'the section of stirrup strap which extends'below the seat of the saddle 17 to accommodate buckles 11 and 12 and to permit selection of the desired length. The tongue buckles 11 and 12 are preferably made of a strong, solid, corrosion resistant metal such as bronze or brass and are designed so that they may be easily manipulated.

The stirrup straps 18 and'19 may be attached to the saddle 17 in any of several different ways, depending on the type of saddle used and the wishes of the rider. On an English type saddle, suchas saddle 17 shown in FIG. 2, the stirrup straps l8 and 19 can be fastened securely to the saddle 17 so that the rider sits in the deepest part of the seat of the saddle. The straps can be attached, for example, by means of buckles or other metal fasteners or'clips, other leather straps or thongs, or by sewing them directly to the saddle. On a western stock type saddle, (not shown), the front stirrup strap can be attached to the saddle horn by means of a leather cross member attached to the front stirrup strap, fitted over the saddle horn, and secured by leatherthongs. Alternatively, the front stirrup strap can be attached to the saddle horn in the same manner as described above with reference to the English type saddle. Likewise, the rear stirrup strap is attached to the fender skirting leather behind the cantle of the saddle by any means used for the English type saddle or by the use of leather'thongs. Whichever type saddle is used, the stirrup straps l8'and 19 must be attached securely so that there is no possibility of chafing, binding or other interference with the rider or the horse.

With saddle stirrups l properly oriented adjacenta horse, all the seams of each stirrup cup 10 are,positioned on the side of cup 10 away from the saddle and the horse. By positioning the stirrup cup in this manner, the seams are less likely to wear and loosen, and chafing of the riders stump or of the horse is avoided. The front buckle 12 is attached to the front stirrup strap 19, and the rear buckle 11 is similarly attached to the rear stirrup strap 18. By means of buckles 1,1 and 12 and spaced tongue holes 20, the stirrup cups 10 can be adjusted to any height or angle which the rider prefers. This allows any amputee to use the present invention, regardless of the length of theremainingpart of his leg. By adjusting the stirrup straps so that the stirrup cup is positioned at an angle with the front adjusted slightly higher than the rear, the stirrup cup allows an amputee l. to use a leg angle which is approximately the leg angle used by a non-handicapped rider. 2. This enables the amputee to sit in the saddle in a natural manner, thus enabling him to gain a good seat more easily.

If the rider is a single amputee, only one stirrup cup 10 need be attached to the stirrup straps, and the rider can use the regular foot stirrup attached to the stirrup leather of the saddle for his other leg. lf, however, the rider is a double amputee, two stirrup cups 10 are attached to stirrup straps l7 and 18, as described above,

and are adjusted to the angle and length preferred by the rider.

Thus it can be seen that the adjustable saddle stirrups 6 of the present invention can be used by both single and double leg amputees, regardless of the length of the re- 4 maining part of their legs, to attain a safe and-comfortablesaddle seat while riding horseback, thereby permitting theamputee to enjoythe pleasurable experience of riding as well as to gain therapeuticbenefits such as improvement of balance, muscular control, coordination and posture, and restoration of selfconfidence. Although the present invention has been described with reference to a preferredembodiment, numerous modifications and rearrangements might be made, and still the result would be within the scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. 'A saddle stirrup for use by a leg amputee in horseback riding, saidsaddle stirrup comprising a hollow,

truncated, open topped, right circular cone having both planes substantially parallel and ,having the larger cone circumference at the top of the'cone, cushioning means on the interior surface of the cone, attachment means connected to the cone, and fastening means adapted for fastening to a saddle and further adapted for attachment to the attachment means to permit connection of the cone to a saddle. V

2. A saddle stirrup as claimed in claim 1 in which the attachment means comprise a pair of buckles connected on opposite sides of the cone upper circumference and inwhich the fastening means comprise a pair of support straps, each support strap having a first end adapted to mate withon'e of the buckles and. a second end adapted for attachment to a saddle..

3. The saddle stirrup of claim 2 in which each bu ckle is a tongue buckle *and'in which each of the support straps has a plurality of spaced tongue holes disposed therein for mating with one of the tongue buckles.

4. A saddle stirrup as claimed in claim 1 in which the cushioning means comprises sheepskin.

5. A riding saddle and stirrup combination for a double leg amputee comprising:

a'saddle; 7 a pair of stirrup cups each including a hollow, truncated,.open topped right circular cone having both 7 planes substantially parallel and having the larger cone circumference at the top of the cone, cushioning means on the interior surface of the cone, and attachment means connected to the cone; and

fastening means connected to the attachment means and to the saddle to fasten the pair of stirrup cups .to the saddle. 6. A saddle and stirrup for use by a leg amputee in horseback riding, comprising a saddle and a saddle stirrup, said saddle stirrup including:

a hollow truncated, open topped right circular cone having both planes substantially parallel and having the larger cone circumference at the top of the cone;

cushioning means on the interior surface of the cone;

a pair of buckles connected on opposite sides of the cone upper circumference; and a pair of support straps, eachsupport strap having'a first end adapted to mate with one of the buckles and a second end sewn to the seat of the saddle. 7. A saddle and stirrup for use by a leg amputee in horseback, riding, comprising aWestern saddle having a saddle hom, and a saddle stirrup, said saddle stirrup including:

a pair of buckles connected on opposite sides of the cone upper circumference;

a pair of support straps, each support strap having a first end adapted to mate with one of the buckles and a second end adapted for attachment to the saddle; and

strap means adapted to be fitted over the saddle horn to fasten one of the pair of support straps thereto.

8. A saddle and stirrup as claimed in claim 7 in which the other of the pair of support straps is attached to the Western saddle fender skirting leather behind the cantle.

9. A saddle stirrup for use by a leg amputee in horseback riding, comprising: v

a. a hollow truncated, open topped, right circular cone having both planes substantially parallel and having the larger cone circumference at the top of the cone;

.b. cushioning means on the interior surface of the cone;

c. attachment means comprising:

1. a reinforcement strap passing from a first point on the upper circumference of the cone, down the cone side, beneath the cone lower surface, and up the cone side to a second point of the upper circumference of the cone opposite the first point;

2. a first buckle attached to the reinforcement strap adjacent the first point; and

3. a second'buckle attached to the reinforcement strap adjacent the second point; and

d. fastening means comprising first and second support straps connected to the first and second buckles, respectively, and adapted for fastening to a saddle.

10. A saddle stirrup as claimed in claim 9 further comprising a second reinforcement strap encircling the cone adjacent the upper circumference thereof and a third reinforcement strap encircling the cone adjacent the lower circumference thereof, each reinforcement strap sewn to the cone.

11. A saddle and stirrup for use by a leg amputee in horseback riding, comprising a saddle, and a saddle stirrup, said saddle stirrup including:

a hollow truncated, open topped, right circular cone having both planes substantially parallel and having the larger cone circumference at the top of the cone; cushioning means on the interior surface of the cone; attachment means connected to the cone; and fastening means for fastening the saddle to the attachment means to attach the cone to the saddle.

12. A saddle and stirrup as claimed in claim 11 in which the attachment means comprise a pair of buckles connected on opposite sides of the cone upper circumference and in which the fastening means comprise a pair of support straps, each support strap having a first end adapted to mate with one of the buckles and a second end adapted for attachment to the saddle.

13. The saddle and stirrup of claim 12 in which each buckle is a tongue buckle and in which each of the support straps has a plurality of spaced tongue holes disposed therein for mating with one of the tongue buckles.

14. A saddle stirrup as claimed in claim 11 in which the cushioning means comprises sheepskin.

15. A saddle stirrup for use by a leg amputee in horseback riding, comprising:

a hollow truncated, open topped right circular cone having both planes substantially parallel and having the larger cone circumference at the top of the cone;

cushioning means on the interior surface of the cone;

attachment means including a reinforcement strap passing from a first point on the upper circumference of the cone, down the cone side, beneath the cone lower surface, and up the cone side to a second point on the upper circumference of the cone opposite the first point; and

fastening means adapted for fastening to a saddle and further adapted for attachment to the attachment means to permit connection of the cone to a saddle.

16. A saddle stirrup as claimed in claim 15 further comprising a second reinforcement strap encircling the cone adjacent the upper circumference thereof and a third reinforcement strap encircling the cone adjacent the lower circumference thereof, each reinforcement strap sewn to the cone. 

1. A saddle stirrup for uSe by a leg amputee in horseback riding, said saddle stirrup comprising a hollow, truncated, open topped, right circular cone having both planes substantially parallel and having the larger cone circumference at the top of the cone, cushioning means on the interior surface of the cone, attachment means connected to the cone, and fastening means adapted for fastening to a saddle and further adapted for attachment to the attachment means to permit connection of the cone to a saddle.
 2. A saddle stirrup as claimed in claim 1 in which the attachment means comprise a pair of buckles connected on opposite sides of the cone upper circumference and in which the fastening means comprise a pair of support straps, each support strap having a first end adapted to mate with one of the buckles and a second end adapted for attachment to a saddle.
 2. a first buckle attached to the reinforcement strap adjacent the first point; and
 3. a second buckle attached to the reinforcement strap adjacent the second poInt; and d. fastening means comprising first and second support straps connected to the first and second buckles, respectively, and adapted for fastening to a saddle.
 3. The saddle stirrup of claim 2 in which each buckle is a tongue buckle and in which each of the support straps has a plurality of spaced tongue holes disposed therein for mating with one of the tongue buckles.
 4. A saddle stirrup as claimed in claim 1 in which the cushioning means comprises sheepskin.
 5. A riding saddle and stirrup combination for a double leg amputee comprising: a saddle; a pair of stirrup cups each including a hollow, truncated, open topped right circular cone having both planes substantially parallel and having the larger cone circumference at the top of the cone, cushioning means on the interior surface of the cone, and attachment means connected to the cone; and fastening means connected to the attachment means and to the saddle to fasten the pair of stirrup cups to the saddle.
 6. A saddle and stirrup for use by a leg amputee in horseback riding, comprising a saddle and a saddle stirrup, said saddle stirrup including: a hollow truncated, open topped right circular cone having both planes substantially parallel and having the larger cone circumference at the top of the cone; cushioning means on the interior surface of the cone; a pair of buckles connected on opposite sides of the cone upper circumference; and a pair of support straps, each support strap having a first end adapted to mate with one of the buckles and a second end sewn to the seat of the saddle.
 7. A saddle and stirrup for use by a leg amputee in horseback riding, comprising a Western saddle having a saddle horn, and a saddle stirrup, said saddle stirrup including: a hollow truncated, open topped, right circular cone having both planes substantially parallel and having the larger cone circumference at the top of the cone; cushioning means on the interior surface of the cone; a pair of buckles connected on opposite sides of the cone upper circumference; a pair of support straps, each support strap having a first end adapted to mate with one of the buckles and a second end adapted for attachment to the saddle; and strap means adapted to be fitted over the saddle horn to fasten one of the pair of support straps thereto.
 8. A saddle and stirrup as claimed in claim 7 in which the other of the pair of support straps is attached to the Western saddle fender skirting leather behind the cantle.
 9. A saddle stirrup for use by a leg amputee in horseback riding, comprising: a. a hollow truncated, open topped, right circular cone having both planes substantially parallel and having the larger cone circumference at the top of the cone; b. cushioning means on the interior surface of the cone; c. attachment means comprising:
 10. A saddle stirrup as claimed in claim 9 further comprising a second reinforcement strap encircling the cone adjacent the upper circumference thereof and a third reinforcement strap encircling the cone adjacent the lower circumference thereof, each reinforcement strap sewn to the cone.
 11. A saddle and stirrup for use by a leg amputee in horseback riding, comprising a saddle, and a saddle stirrup, said saddle stirrup including: a hollow truncated, open topped, right circular cone having both planes substantially parallel and having the larger cone circumference at the top of the cone; cushioning means on the interior surface of the cone; attachment means connected to the cone; and fastening means for fastening the saddle to the attachment means to attach the cone to the saddle.
 12. A saddle and stirrup as claimed in claim 11 in which the attachment means comprise a pair of buckles connected on opposite sides of the cone upper circumference and in which the fastening means comprise a pair of support straps, each support strap having a first end adapted to mate with one of the buckles and a second end adapted for attachment to the saddle.
 13. The saddle and stirrup of claim 12 in which each buckle is a tongue buckle and in which each of the support straps has a plurality of spaced tongue holes disposed therein for mating with one of the tongue buckles.
 14. A saddle stirrup as claimed in claim 11 in which the cushioning means comprises sheepskin.
 15. A saddle stirrup for use by a leg amputee in horseback riding, comprising: a hollow truncated, open topped right circular cone having both planes substantially parallel and having the larger cone circumference at the top of the cone; cushioning means on the interior surface of the cone; attachment means including a reinforcement strap passing from a first point on the upper circumference of the cone, down the cone side, beneath the cone lower surface, and up the cone side to a second point on the upper circumference of the cone opposite the first point; and fastening means adapted for fastening to a saddle and further adapted for attachment to the attachment means to permit connection of the cone to a saddle.
 16. A saddle stirrup as claimed in claim 15 further comprising a second reinforcement strap encircling the cone adjacent the upper circumference thereof and a third reinforcement strap encircling the cone adjacent the lower circumference thereof, each reinforcement strap sewn to the cone. 